Commenting on Rohit Sharma’s injury status and his subsequent unavailability for Team India's tour to Australia, India skipper Virat Kohli last week said that there is a lack of transparency and communication over it.
On Monday (November 30), former India opener Gautam Gambhir echoed Kohli’s words and added that this situation could’ve been easily avoided as it needed only 3 persons’ involvement in the communication chain.
“The Rohit Sharma situation could’ve been handled pretty easily since there wasn’t any need for too many people to get involved. Only the head physio, head coach and chairman of selectors were to be involved in the injury case. Had there been clear communication with the 3, it would’ve been enough. Of course, Virat Kohli were to get updated at every step through Ravi Shastri,” Gambhir said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.
Batting legend VVS Laxman also believes that the BCCI could’ve handled the Rohit Sharma travel situation in a batter way.
“Rohit Sharma is a very valuable player in Test matches. So I would’ve kept him in the chain, subject to fitness, would’ve definitely kept him in the picture. Secondly, you could’ve sent him with the team after that, keeping the quarantine rules in mind. Because there is a 14-day quarantine, in the soft quarantine since you have been in the bubble in UAE. Then you move to another bubble [in Australia]. In soft quarantine, you can practice, train with teammates, hit the gym.
“But when you’re taking a commercial flight to Australia, you won’t be allowed to go out of your room and mingle and come in contact with people. So, I believe, the BCCI should’ve thought of this in hindsight,” Laxman said on the show.
Rohit Sharma is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. He is racing against time to get fit and fly to Australia for the Test series.
Last week, the BCCI issued a statement as per which the final call on Rohit would be taken after an assessment on December 11.
“He is presently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. Mr Rohit Sharma’s next assessment will be conducted on December 11th following which the BCCI will have clarity on his participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia,” the board said in a media release.
